The working vocabulary of the average 14-year-old has declined in the last 50 years from 25,000 words to 10,000. Language reflects the depth of our human experience. Because we think in words, are we losing the capacity to say what we feel? Like, whatever.

You know, ukiyo: living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life?

That’s the vibe in a nutshell, right?

Thank Japan for summing up something like “contentment mixed with whimsical nostalgia and feelings of freedom” into one perfect gem.

You probably see these sorts of one-word wonders on Pinterest all the time—obscure terms from other languages that describe feelings we Americans simply haven’t invented words to convey.

Pinning these pretties is easy as pie, but can you actually incorporate them into daily use?

Nope, me neither. But wouldn’t you like to?

How lovely would it be to describe our feelings with such concision?

Rambling not required.

Inspired, I set out to broaden our linguistic horizons a bit, to deepen our pool of descriptive vocabulary. I pulled together a little 5-word dictionary (complete with pronunciations) of words that eloquently evoke emotion.

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to try to use one of these words in casual conversation each day for a week. And, of course, leave a comment to tell me how you managed to squeeze ‘em in.

Ready, set …

Go!

Laotong (lao-dong), from China:

A friendship that bonds two girls together for eternity as kindred sisters.

As in: “Sally and I agreed that our serendipitous meeting on MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection was the beginning of our laotong.”

Gigil (GEE-gil), from the Philippines:

The overwhelming urge to pinch or squeeze something cute.

As in: “I was overcome with gigil at the site of the baby’s smiling cheeks.”

Mudita (moo-DEE-tah), from India:

Sympathetic or unselfish joy; delight in the good fortune of others.

As in: “We all shared a deep feeling of mudita when Mom announced that she’d won a trip to a yoga retreat in India because she has always wanted to go there.”

Voorpret (foor-bdet), from the Netherlands:

The sense of joyous anticipation felt before an event actually takes place.

As in: “As Daisy Jo prepared for the midsummer garden party, she could barely contain her voorpret.”

Meraki (MER-a-kee), from Greece:

Soul, creativity, or love put into a project; the essence of yourself that is put into your work.

As in: “She loves to make jewelry with sea glass, and she crafts each piece with profound meraki.”

All proceeds (minus shipping and packing) will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Here’s how:

MaryJane will post a photo of the prop and its cost here along with a few details as to its condition. The first person to call the farm and talk with Brian, 208-882-6819, becomes the new owner of a little bit of herstory. Shipping will be either USPS or UPS, our choice. No returns.